SLRWA Continues Successful Stocking

The St. Lawrence River has long been known as a fishing destination of the highest order. North Americas mightiest river is fed by a series of tributaries and offers countless areas which are ideal habitat for trophy-sized walleye.

St. Lawrence River Walleye Association was founded to preserve the wonderful fishery of the St. Lawrence which now faces severe stress from modern influences, most notably from the effects of invasive species.

A new invasive species enters the St. Lawrence River every six hours, said SLRWA Mike Gagner emphasizing the scope of the threats to all fish which inhabit the St. Lawrence River.

The SLRWA has joined forces with the St. Lawrence Valley Sportsmens Club and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in a very successful stocking effort which has enhanced the St. Lawrence River an international venue for walleye fishing.

A venue which ha also become a major boost to tourism.

Along with restocking the SLRWA has also been actively seeking grant monies and partnerships for an effort to one day build a research, hatchery and visitors center to provide cutting edge laboratories and educational facilities.

The association recently received a $22,000 grant from the St. Lawrence County Industrial Development Agency.

The years stocking effort came fruition recently in a day-long effort. SLRWA members harvested hundreds of thousands of walleye fingerlings, two-three inches in length, from two stocking ponds. The fingerlings were released into Sucker Brook.

We really had a good stocking year and we want to thank Dan Andruss for the use of the ponds on his property. He really helps us out. The ponds yielded hundreds of thousands of fingerlings and they were all the same size, two-three inches, which is great and there was no cannibalization said Gagner.

We had a great turnout of volunteers which make it happen. Our board members and volunteers put a lot of energy into what we do all year long.

Speaking for the SLRWA Gagner expressed a far reaching thank you.

We would also like to thank the NY State DEC for their help, and the St.Lawrence Valley Sportsmens Club. We work hand in hand with these groups, all of us wish to make the St. Lawrence River one of the greatest fisheries in the world. Not just with our great walleye population but with our many trophy species. The St.Lawrence River is like no other and we hope to always keep it that way. Everything the SLRWA does 12 months a year is for this river, and for people in our surrounding communities and those that come from afar to enjoy. Thank you to all of our members and business members for helping it all happen. Anyone interested in being a part of the St.Lawrence River Walleye Association can go to our website @ www.stlawrenceriverwalleyeassociation.com or call 315-384-3450. 

The anglers who enjoy the fishery also contribute to the mission statement of the SLRWA by participating in the tournaments. All of the money raised in the tournaments goes directly to the restocking effort.

The SLRWA will hold its 12th annual Walleye Challenge on Aug. 3 out of Massena, its Fall Classic on Sept. 14 out of Waddington and has scheduled 2014 Northern Pike Challenge in Waddington on Feb. 22.

WALLEYE CHALLENGE

The St. Lawrence River Walleye Association is proud to present the 12th annual Walleye Challenge. The event will be held on Aug. 3, from 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the boat launch at the Massena Intake with the scales opening at noon. The entry fee is $50 per 2-person team with $20/team entry fee for the big fish (1 fish per team).

There will also be a $5 restocking fee for non-members. Sign up location is at the Massena Rod & Gun Club (Patterson Rd) from 6pm -7:30 p.m. on Aug. 2